Transcript Highlights:

• They may be in the seasonal high water table.
• And in the seasonal high water table.
• ,</c> that goes through a surface water, that goes through a surface water, whether<00:16:34.399><c>
• You'll water drains are a good example.
• So in towns that are like that, water.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened discussion on SP 170 and worked through the bill section by section, focusing first on housing discrimination language and then on land-use and development provisions. On the housing section, members discussed adding “school enrollment status” or a similar term as a protected class to prevent municipalities from steering students into specific zones, especially in Durham. Some members questioned whether “status” was too vague and suggested “enrollment status” or “school enrollment status” for clarity. Public testimony raised concerns that adding a new protected class could have broader implications beyond this bill and could affect municipal zoning authority, while supporters argued the language was needed to prevent discrimination against students in housing access. The committee then heard testimony on provisions limiting municipal authority over septic test pits and well-siting requirements. DEES officials and a builder testified that state standards are already protective of groundwater and surface water and that some local requirements are more stringent than the state’s, adding cost and delay to housing projects. Supporters said uniform state standards would make housing development faster and more predictable. Opponents warned that local rules can protect aquifers, wellhead areas, and drinking water in specific communities, and that removing municipal flexibility could weaken those protections. The subcommittee appeared comfortable keeping these sections, though members discussed whether to clarify the language and whether some local review authority should remain. The meeting also covered road-length limits, caps on the number of lots on dead-end roads, and subdivision design rules. Members generally supported prohibiting municipalities from using maximum road length or lot caps to block development, with one amendment suggested to allow such limits where adequate water and sewer capacity is lacking. The committee also discussed allowing utilities and infrastructure such as septic systems, wells, electric systems, drainage structures, and shared leach fields to be placed in subdivision open space or perimeter buffers when those areas are not protected wetlands or shoreland. Finally, the committee reviewed a provision requiring municipalities to stamp and accept plan changes within three days after initial review, with members explaining that the goal is to prevent repeated, incremental changes from dragging out the approval process. No final votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided, but members indicated general comfort with several sections as amended or clarified.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> there any discussion Senator water there any discussion Senator water thank<01:18:56.280><c> you
• the water, but with more fresh water that buffering is not there, so what do we get?
• :21:32.560><c> the</c><01:21:32.760><c> water</c><01:21:33.080><c> warming</c><01:21:33.440><c> water
• </c><01:21:33.639><c> is</c> seems like the water warming water is seems like the water warming water
• </c> of the water but with more fresh water of the water but with more fresh water that<01:22:50.440>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> cost unfortunately in increased water cost unfortunately in increased water rates.<00:09:01.839>
• </c><00:19:38.400><c> are</c><00:19:38.559><c> the</c> water and waste water, which are the water and
• PFAS or non-water-soluble PFAS.
• on uh water soluble PAS or<00:25:22.400><c> non-water</c><00:25:23.039><c> soluble</c><00:25:23.520>
• </c> such as clean air and clean water. such as clean air and clean water.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• water purveyor.
• I'm here on behalf of the California Water Association and the sponsor, San Gabriel Valley Water Company
• Santa Fe Springs water district is in a financial situation.
• Water Agencies and the California Special Districts Association.
• I'm with the Association of California Water Agencies.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of local government bills, beginning without quorum and later taking up measures once quorum was established. AB 748 would expand the pre-approved housing plan model for small single-family projects and ADUs, with delayed implementation for smaller jurisdictions; it drew support from housing advocates and some local governments opposed it. AB 1786 would extend best-value contracting authority to general law cities and the San Gabriel Valley COG for larger projects, with broad local government support and no opposition. AB 1712 would let Santa Fe Springs pursue sale of its troubled water system to a larger provider through a protest process instead of a municipal election, citing major capital needs and rate pressures. AB 1679 would create a temporary commercial activation permit for pop-up businesses in vacant storefronts for up to 120 days, with support from business and downtown groups and questions about local control. AB 1738 would require jurisdictions to offer virtual inspections for certain simple residential inspections; supporters emphasized efficiency and existing use in some counties, while labor and local government opponents raised safety and implementation concerns. The committee voted 3-0 to send AB 1738 to Housing, with the bill remaining on call. The committee also heard AB 1578, which would require elected state and local officials to take anti-hate speech training as part of existing harassment training. Supporters argued it would help officials understand the impact of rhetoric on hate and violence, while opponents said it was vague and threatened free speech; the bill passed 3-1 to Governmental Organization and remained on call. AB 1693 would speed retail tenant-improvement permits by requiring review by a qualified professional certifier and shorter local review timelines; it had support from retailers and business groups and passed 4-0 to Business, Professions, and Economic Development. AB 1914 would require local governments to include child care in general planning, with supporters calling child care essential infrastructure and opponents warning about mandates; it passed 2-0 to Human Services and remained on call. AB 1997 would shorten the review period for 90% affordable housing projects after EIR certification, and AB 2605 would require counties to report data on public defense systems and caseloads; both passed their committees and were sent onward, with AB 2605 noted as conditional on appropriation. Later items included AB 2224, which would raise and restructure county recorder fees to fund electronic recording systems and modernize service delivery, with county recorder and county association support and no opposition; it passed to Appropriations and remained on call. The consent calendar included AB 2640. At the end of the meeting, Senator Seyarto presented AB 2110 on behalf of Assemblymember Johnson, proposing workforce housing enhanced infrastructure financing districts for education, health care, manufacturing, and public safety workers, using existing EIFD authority without affecting school funding or ERAF; the presentation was introduced as having bipartisan support, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• , water rights Water rights, process required.
• Quality at the State Water Board.
• At the water boards, we also recognize that winemaking generates winery process water, and the primary
• So at the water boards, we implement the California Water Code, which requires that a person discharging
• Water Board was adopt a general waste discharge order for winery process water, also known as our Winery

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These companies are extremely efficient with the use of water.
• Oil, you're going to also produce water. That oil goes into a tank.
• for and produce water to be used in operations on the lease.
• wells or public water supply wells.
• It's just water quality drinking standards.

Bills: HB3619, HB3652, HB4572, HB4891, HB4941, HB5103, HB5105, HB5106, HB5224, HB5600

Keywords: surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards

Transcript Highlights:

• During drought, we need stored water to provide water to communities and the environment.
• to store water that can support both water users and environmental flows in dry times.
• and water user protections.
• CEQA and the lake and streambed alteration agreement laws for a water diversion program and certain water
• water.

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for recharge projects, codify long-standing CEQA exemptions for flood diversions to recharge, and add tribal consultation and other guardrails. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure as a way to capture high-flow water and reduce groundwater subsidence, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it, warning that the bill’s exemptions and broader diversion authority could harm rivers, Delta resources, and public trust values. The bill was discussed but not voted on because the committee lacked a quorum at that point. The committee then took up AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy-use data and permit-related estimates of energy and water demand. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and give regulators better information for grid planning. Data center industry representatives opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while local governments, environmental groups, and some utilities supported it or supported it if amended. The bill was later reported out with a due pass recommendation once a quorum was established. Members also heard AB 2245 on a producer responsibility program for lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental review protections for overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation and VMT mitigation, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, and AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects. Testimony was mixed on most of these bills: supporters emphasized affordability, local control, environmental justice, or project urgency, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA scope, regulatory duplication, costs, and environmental impacts. Several measures received due pass recommendations and roll-call votes, including AB 2170, AB 2059, AB 1808, AB 2182, and AB 2231, with some members voting no or not voting and some bills left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• During drought, we need stored water to provide water to communities and the environment.
• to store water that can support both water users and environmental flows in dry times.
• and water user protections.
• Water Authority, two minutes each.
• water.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:42.880><c> Senator</c><00:24:43.200><c> Waters.</c> Further discussions? Senator Waters.
• Drinking water. right, further discuss. Drinking water.
• Seeing none, Senator Waters, discussion. Seeing none, Senator Waters, no.
• Senator Waters moves approval. Okay. Senator Waters moves approval. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
• Senator Waters. Thank you. Uh, Mr.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And also, too, I have some concerns about the water as well.
• Is that water going to be okay once it's injected back into the ground?
• You have water rights? We do. Mr. Thornton, go ahead. Thank you.
• Okay, so if they get too carried away with their water, could we use that water right tool to, say, you
• have senior water rights?

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee heard House Bill 897, a revised data center tax incentive bill presented by Representative Chris Bruce and Senator Lori Den Hartog. The sponsors said the bill narrows the existing sales tax exemption so it applies only to internal server equipment, limits the exemption to 20 years, requires Tax Commission reporting on foregone sales tax revenue, and modifies the property tax treatment for large data center investments. They also emphasized new conditions intended to protect ratepayers and water resources, including requiring utilities to recover electricity costs from the qualifying business entity and requiring efficient water-use arrangements. The sponsors described the measure as a tax incentive bill, not a regulatory bill. During questions, members asked about how the bill would protect utility customers and whether data centers that generate their own power or use closed-loop cooling systems would still qualify. The sponsors said the electricity costs would need to be covered through energy service agreements and that construction for on-site power generation or cooling systems would not qualify for the sales tax exemption because the bill limits the incentive to server equipment. Public testimony was generally supportive. Lane Thornton, a Kuna farmer, backed the bill because of concerns about power costs and water use, and Courtney Dawson of the Idaho Rural Water Association supported the water-related provisions and asked for a due pass recommendation. After closing remarks, Representative Monks moved to send House Bill 897 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion by voice vote, and Representative Bruce was designated to carry the bill on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• and what they're going to do with the water as they use it.
• Is that water going to be okay once it's injected back into the ground?
• You have water rights? We do. Mr. Thornton, go ahead. Thank you.
• Okay, so if they get too carried away with their water, could we use that water right tool to, say, you
• have senior water rights?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on March 18, 2026, to hear House Bill 897, a revised data center tax incentive bill sponsored by Representative Chris Bruce and Senator Lori Den Hartog. The sponsors said the bill narrows Idaho’s existing sales tax exemption so it applies only to internal server equipment, limits the exemption to 20 years, and requires the Tax Commission to report the amount of sales tax revenue not collected. They also said the bill modifies the property tax treatment for large data center investments and adds provisions intended to protect utility ratepayers and water resources by requiring full cost recovery through utility agreements and efficient water-use practices. They emphasized the measure is a tax incentive bill, not a regulatory bill. Committee members asked questions about how the bill would protect ratepayers and how utility costs would be recovered. The sponsors said the utility costs would be handled through energy service agreements that fully recover the utility’s costs from the data center, and that those agreements would generally be worked out before construction. Representative Raymond asked about a letter in opposition from TerraVolt and whether a data center’s self-built power plant or cooling infrastructure would qualify for the exemption; Senator Den Hartog said those construction costs would not qualify because the bill limits the exemption to internal server equipment. Public testimony was generally supportive. Lane Thornton, a Kuna farmer, said he supported the bill’s water and power protections and was concerned about rate impacts and water quality. Courtney Dawson of the Idaho Rural Water Association also supported the bill, saying its water-related provisions and accountability measures would help protect drinking water and wastewater systems. After closing remarks, Representative Monks moved to send House Bill 897 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and the motion passed by voice vote. Representative Bruce will carry the bill on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• What kind of water?
• We get involved in APS, Southwest Gas, Global Water, EPCOR Water, Arizona Water, Unisource Gas and Electric
• We get involved in APS, Southwest Gas, Global Water, EPCOR water, Arizona Water, Unisource Gas and Electric
• I don't know what water company that is.
• Let me go to the water company. It's Tonnell Creek Water Company LLC. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on modernization of the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona. Testimony from local officials and port authority representatives described the port as outdated, flood-prone, and a major congestion and safety concern because CBP equipment and officers are positioned near the international boundary and stormwater/sewer infrastructure. Speakers said the port is vital to local and state commerce, estimated modernization could cost $1.5 billion to $2 billion, and requested state support and letters of support for federal advocacy. Committee members discussed the economic and safety impacts, and leadership said a joint letter would be prepared. The committee then considered several bills. HB 2237 would appropriate $4.5 million for Apache Junction’s Superstition Trails and a visitor gateway; it passed 4-2. HB 2926, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act, would create expedited permitting for workforce housing, exempt the state portion of prime contracting tax for such projects, and adjust bond-related rules; after an amendment, it passed 6-1. HB 2113 would require RUCO to intervene in utility rate cases when proposed residential rate increases are 100% or more; testimony focused on large rate hikes in rural areas versus RUCO’s limited staff and budget, and the bill passed 5-1 with some members asking for continued discussion about RUCO’s priorities. The committee also passed HB 2824, which authorizes local governments to establish voluntary C-PACE programs for financing commercial property improvements through special assessments, with supporters saying it would help attract investment without using state general funds. HB 2939, the “Lucid bill,” would add a rural-location tax credit tied to large qualifying investments and new jobs; Lucid Motors testified that it would support advanced manufacturing and rural job creation, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee adjourned after noting HB 2950 would be held due to time and heard first at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that state land in The Boundary Waters that state land in The Boundary Waters the<00:05:03.520><
• With respect to the Boundary Waters lands, he said the exchange is not viable.
• </c> with respect to the Boundary Waters with respect to the Boundary Waters lands<00:09:45.120><c> as
• lived in The Boundary Waters uh almost lived in The Boundary Waters uh for<00:29:20.320><c> lck</c><00
• <00:35:23.560><c> is</c><00:35:23.800><c> that</c> Waters is that Waters is that $325<00:35:25.560><c

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HF 1425, which would prohibit the sale of state-owned school trust lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the federal government and instead require a land trade. Representative Skraba argued the federal wilderness law requires an exchange, not a sale, and said the state should trade Boundary Waters school trust lands for federal lands elsewhere, citing potential benefits for logging, mining, and school trust revenue. He said the current proposed sale price was too low and moved to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in a future bill. Later, he withdrew a DE1 amendment and instead moved to re-refer the bill to the Education Finance Committee, but that motion failed. Testimony was largely opposed to the bill. Aaron Vandal of the Office of School Trust Lands said the exchange option was no longer viable, that the lands have produced no revenue for education for decades, and that selling them is the trust’s last opportunity to generate returns for schoolchildren. Bob Meyer of the DNR supported Vandal’s position and said the agency could not negotiate mineral rights in the way suggested. Aon Clems of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Amanda Hefner of Save the Boundary Waters both opposed HF 1425, though they emphasized different reasons: Clems argued a sale best fulfills the state’s fiduciary duty to maximize long-term returns for education, while Hefner said a sale would harm public education funding, align with the trust’s original purpose, and help consolidate federal ownership in the wilderness. Members then questioned the valuation and the practical differences between a sale and an exchange. Representative Jacob challenged the low per-acre price and asked about the federal government’s set-aside amount, while Representative Fischer asked how the appraisal was determined. DNR lands and minerals director Joe Henderson explained the valuation came from an independent appraiser, was based on the wilderness restrictions and lack of development potential, and was from a 2020 appraisal that is now being updated. Representative Schultz supported the sale approach and said the state should not transfer the land at such a low price. The committee did not advance the bill to the Education Finance Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 29 relating to certain water infrastructure matters under the jurisdiction of the Texas Water
• Development Board to Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
• Senate Bill 34 by Sparks relating to the preparation, prevention, and mitigation of wildfires to Water
• utilities to Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs.
• in certain stream segments to Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> significantly improve our Water significantly improve our Water Resources<00:03:02.959><c> it</c
• </c><00:05:08.280><c> quality</c> is a national leader in water quality is a national leader in water
• </c> additional support from the Clean Water additional support from the Clean Water fund<00:10:20.079
• </c><00:12:09.639><c> fund</c> pass about 50% of our clean water fund pass about 50% of our clean water
• </c><00:12:12.959><c> Conservation</c> like Soil and Water Conservation like Soil and Water Conservation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:00.080><c> fund</c> water or drinking water revolving fund water or drinking water revolving
• side than drinking water side.
• </c><00:38:37.760><c> revolving</c> water and the drinking water revolving water and the drinking water
• and drinking water.
• water.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:34.959><c> that</c> our peer utility Louisville Water that our peer utility Louisville Water
• It was so old that we had lots of infiltration from water, you know, high water events or stream weather
• It was so old that we had lots of infiltration from water, you know, high water events or stream weather
• It was so old that we had lots of infiltration from water, you know, high water events or stream weather
• <00:22:00.120><c> Act</c><00:22:00.320><c> in</c> Water Act in Water Act in 1972<00:22:02.559><c> uh<

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:04 HB 387 Discussion 01:06 HB 387 Roll Call Vote 28:30 HCR 22 Discussion 29:26 HCR 22 Roll Call Vote 31:09 HB 519 Discussion 35:36 HB 519 Roll Call Vote 38:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 387, which would amend MSD governance and spending rules in Louisville. The sponsor said the bill was intended to add oversight and accountability in response to large MSD rate increases, though the original rate-approval provision had been removed because of concerns about contracts and bond ratings in Oldham and Bullitt counties. MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott testified that MSD is a public utility serving more than 800,000 people through wastewater, stormwater, and flood protection services, and argued that most rate pressure comes from federal and state mandates tied to a consent decree and other orders. He said MSD already provides annual notice and bond approvals through Metro Council, offers customer assistance programs, and needs flexibility for advertising, public notices, recruitment, and compliance. Members discussed stormwater funding, aging infrastructure, flood control, and the bill’s limits on advertising and other expenditures. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed on a roll call vote. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 22, as substituted, which expressed support for exploring nuclear energy and included language noting Kentucky’s ability to use nuclear waste, uranium tailings, and spent fuel in ways described by the sponsor as cleaner. Supporters said Kentucky faces an energy shortage and that nuclear, including small modular reactors, should be part of the state’s future energy mix. Some members said they would support the resolution but wanted a feasibility study or noted that it does not carry the force of law. The resolution passed. Finally, the committee began House Bill 519, sponsored by Representative Fugate, which would prevent utility companies from passing demolition costs for retired coal-fired or fossil-fuel plants on to ratepayers. The sponsor cited sharply rising electricity bills in eastern Kentucky, the decline in coal employment, and the burden of demolition costs from the Big Sandy plant being placed on customers. He argued that utilities should absorb those costs rather than shifting them to ratepayers. The bill was introduced with a motion and second, and the committee was preparing to hear further questions and testimony when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2024 expands the definition of water supply development as it pertains to the Water Infrastructure
• It requires applicants for the water conservation grants who receive CAP water to disclose the source
• of water they save and what they plan on doing with the saved water, whether they leave it or use it
• to improve groundwater conservation, surface water flows.
• that present a risk to groundwater, surface water, or public health.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of House bills, mostly on third-read consent calendars, covering appropriations, elections, education, public safety, water, taxation, and criminal justice. Early discussion included HB 2148, which would give the Legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal funds, described by the sponsor as a transparency measure. Other measures included HB 2091 on insurance assessment limits, HB 2122 on BTR reciprocity/endorsement clarifications, HB 2138 on firefighters’ workers’ compensation coverage, HB 2008 barring public school libraries from using public funds to pay certain professional associations, HB 2110 allowing prayer at public governing body meetings on request, and HB 2142 creating a School Safety Center at ADE with up to 10% of program funds for administration. The caucus also heard several parental-rights and elections bills. HB 2249 would expand the parents’ bill of rights to require notice if school staff facilitate a minor’s social transitioning and to allow parents access to complete educational records, with penalties for interference. HB 2022 would conform Arizona election deadlines and the primary date to federal law changes affecting military and overseas voters, with sponsors saying it preserves the 2024 timeline and includes emergency and permanent fixes. HCM 2001 urged the President and Congress to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, and HCM 2002 was discussed as a related measure concerning CARE and congressional review/designation efforts; members debated the legal differences between the two memorials. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 2001, a proposed constitutional amendment on election rules. The sponsor said it would require U.S. citizenship to vote, government ID to register, prohibit foreign contributions, end early voting by the Friday before Election Day, and tighten ballot-return and polling-place rules, framing it as an Arizona Secure Elections Act modeled on Florida reforms. Members asked about ballot-return mechanics and the impact on voters who move, and the sponsor said the measure would require periodic address confirmation for early voters and earlier drop-off deadlines for certain ballots. The caucus also reviewed many water bills, including measures on snowpack augmentation, water conservation grant disclosures and eligible uses, stormwater recharge mapping, cesspool remediation, groundwater withdrawal limits in irrigation non-expansion areas, and a $1 million appropriation for Colorado River litigation. Additional bills covered tax and property issues, criminal penalties, and other policy changes. These included HB 2016 eliminating late-filing penalties when no tax is owed, HB 2104 and HB 2105 protecting agricultural property owners from repeated reclassification and requiring notice before inspections, and HB 2289 updating truth-in-taxation pamphlet examples to reflect $100,000 and $400,000 home values instead of outdated figures. The caucus also heard bills on felony murder involving unborn children, disposal of dead bodies, unlawful flight penalties, weapons trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, child support during pregnancy, and a memorial for the Buffalo Soldiers. No formal votes were taken in the transcript excerpt; the meeting consisted primarily of bill presentations, sponsor explanations, and member questions, with several bills noted as removed from the consent calendar or awaiting further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bordering public water. Senator Green. bordering public water. Senator Green.
• </c> definition of a public water controlled. definition of a public water controlled.
• , it is a public water waters inventory, it is a public water and<02:02:31.040><c> that</c><02:02:31.280
• </c> that we did uh to try to protect waters. that we did uh to try to protect waters.
• We talked about how we had to restore our water, our clean water.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• water discharge permitting program.
• not used for human drinking water.
• unusable water usable.
• Chair and Representative, it, they don't own the water.
• Clean Water state revolving fund could be used.